Case IH sponsored the sweetest conference of the year

05 Apr 2016

Case IH presented its solutions for the Sugar cane industry at the 6th Africa Sugar 2016 Conference in Mozambique

The 6th Africa Sugar Conference is the largest annual sugar gathering in Africa. This year, it took place in Mozambique and was co-hosted by APAMO, the Mozambique Sugar Producers Association. Like in the previous years, it gathered international experts, key speakers, governments and associations and top players across the industry chain. The three-day event (from 30th March to 1st April) had a rich programme of conferences on the sugar cane industry. Topics ranged from ways to improve sugar productivity in Africa (also thanks to new technologies) to the changing international sugar trade environment, as well as dedicated focus presentations on the sugar industry in different African countries (Mozambique, Ethiopia, Uganda, Morocco, South Africa, Ghana and Malawi).A world leader in sugar cane harvesting solutions, Case IH participated as Gold Sponsor of the event for the sixth year in a row. In collaboration with its official distributor in Mozambique, Entreposto Comercial de Mozambique, S.A., Case IH demonstrated part of the Case IH line-up to support sugar cane producers in every phase of the process with a full range of high efficiency equipment for the industry, from bush clearing to harvesting and transportation to the mill.

Matthew Foster, Vice President and General Manager Case IH for Europe, Africa and Middle East, held a speech on the second day of the event: All From One – Case IH, Your Ideal Partner For The Sugar Industry. In Africa, as elsewhere in the world, sugar cane growers need to face some of the most difficult challenges in nurturing crops from establishment through to harvest: from tough ground conditions on both ends of the season to big yields and lengthy harvest periods, not to mention the constant pressure to keep the sugar mills supplied with the quality and the quantity they expect. Case IH has extensive experience in the demands of sugar cane production around the world.

Drawing on over 50 years of experience in this sector, the company offers a complete range of equipment for sugar cane production: the cultivation equipment to prepare the soil and the sprayers to look after the crop and the most trusted line of harvesters in the business.

The Austoft® 8000, “the” Sugar Cane Harvester… and other first class equipmentCase IH has the most proven line of harvesters available in the market, the Austoft® 8000 Series. These machines are the industry’s highest capacity sugar cane harvesters and ideally suited for the most demanding productivity and performance needs. The Smart Cruise technology automatically adjusts engine rpm and reduces fuel consumption up to 0.7 litre of fuel per tonne of cane billet. In addition, Case IH offers the Austoft® 4000 Series, specifically designed for small up to medium sized landholdings or big plantations with reduced row spacing.

Also the exclusive, factory-fitted AutoTracker helps to minimise cane losses. Cane stalks are cut at ground level, and the base cutter height is either controlled by the operator or automatically by the AutoTracker which consists of two rotating discs with 5 blades each. The cutter angle can be adjusted from 12.5º to 17.5º. On average, the AutoTracker reduces stool damage by 27.2%, root ripping at the end of rows by 28.3%, and the overall cane losses by an impressive 62.9%.

Case IH’s offering is complemented by a full range of equipment for sugar cane operations, including the renowned Steiger®, MagnumTM and PumaTM Series of high horsepower tractors, self-propelled sprayers, tillage and seeding complexes, balers and other attachments, and a line-up of precision farming solutions.

And there is more to it. Case IH is the first manufacturer of agricultural machines to feature a unique yield mapping system for the sugarcane industry successfully tested in Brazil. The new tool – now also available in the Africa and Middle East region - uses the precision farming concepts to record and compare the productivity of sugarcane fields with great precision. The technical information is generated during harvesting, providing a detailed history to avoid replanting in unnecessary areas or overdose on fertilizing in productive areas.

Sweet Home, La Reunion Danatech is a company providing Agricultural Services in La Reunion. His Manager, Jim Hourau is very satisfied with their Case IH Austoft 8000 bought in 2015: “During the harvesting season, sugar cane factories in La Reunion never stop and need to be constantly fed with canes, so my company needed a reliable machine able to work long hours at good speed.” Danatech’s Case IH sugar cane harvester cuts approximately 1,000 tons per day of green cane during peak season; a very good result, especially considering the difficult African soil!

Jim’s relationship with Case IH dates back to his boyhood, when his parents owned Case IH tractors. This was the spark that made him choose Case IH again. “My sentimental decision proved absolutely right on the field, where the machine’s stability, the quality of the harvest and the low fuel consumption convinced my operators and the final clients.”When asked about the Austoft 8000 best features, Jim puts the Anti-Vortex cleaning system at number 1. This is the most modern and efficient cleaning system in the industry: it reduces extraneous matter and cane loss and dramatically improves the load density for transport, which lowers operating costs.

Danatech’s operators also appreciate the comfort and the ergonomics of the cab and the speed of the machine during road transfers to the mill. Also maintenance is judged very positively thanks to service points accessible from ground level. Jim concludes: “I am very happy with this machine; its first-class quality and reliability give me peace of mind.” Jim will continue using and investing on new Case IH equipment. His next project will be buying a new Magnum tractor: “The reliability, efficiency and productivity of this model are just what we need to develop our activity and our operators enjoy working in CASE IH’s comfortable cabs.”

Exceeding customers' expectations in terms of productivity and profitability and supporting them with innovative products and excellent services is CASE IH’s mission. In Africa, in the world.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

Case IH is the professionals' choice, drawing on more than 175 years of heritage and experience in the agricultural industry. A powerful range of tractors, combines and balers supported by a global network of highly professional dealers dedicated to providing our customers with the superior support and performance solutions to be productive and effective in the 21st century.

Case IH is a brand of CNH Industrial N.V., a World leader in Capital Goods listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CNHI) and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario of the Borsa Italiana (MI: CNHI). More information about CNH Industrial can be found online at www.cnhindustrial.com